BASILICA OF THE SACRÉ-CŒUR DE MONTMARTRE

The Sacré-Coeur is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. It is true that it hardly passes unnoticed, as monumental as well placed, enthroned at the top of the hill Montmartre. One goes there as much to discover the monument as to benefit from one of the most beautiful views on the capital. It is however a relatively recent building. Imposing, with its 100 m length, its 50 m width and its 83 m high dome, this building is the result of a political and moral project of the 1870's attributing to the country's setbacks (defeat of Sedan against Prussia and Napoleon's imprisonment) a deep spiritual crisis and as many sins to be forgiven at the time. So it was decided to erect a huge church as a national vow. As for the Butte, it is because it overlooks the capital that it was chosen. The place also allowed to open a new page of history in connection with its rich religious past. But this project is often associated with the desire to atone for the painful episodes of the Commune, a question that nowadays often resurfaces in the debates. The building site, directed by Paul Abadie (and 5 other architects!), lasted 50 years. The clayey nature of the land, which had to be compensated for by colossal support works, delayed the construction, while the First World War put a stop to the work for several years. Although the building was consecrated in 1919 (the title of Basilica makes it a place of pilgrimage), it was not completely finished until 1923. The front part of the basilica is in the Romanesque-Byzantine style and consists of a group of domes of Byzantine inspiration, while the back part is in the Romanesque tradition with its apses. Its white color is due to its exterior stones coming from the Souppes quarry (Seine-et-Marne) which naturally whiten in contact with rainwater. It should be noted that due to the narrowness of the building site, the basilica had to be oriented along a north-south axis and not east-west contrary to the norm. The interior architecture is Romanesque-Byzantine. The mosaic in the choir, one of the largest in the world, depicting the resurrected Christ with open arms and a golden heart ("Sacred Heart") is particularly noteworthy. One can also see the great organ of 1898 signed Cavaillé-Coll. The basilica houses the famous "Savoyarde" of 1895. It is possible to visit the Dome, the highest point in Paris after the Eiffel Tower!